CSKA AVOID CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT

Despite two' players testing positive for a banned substance, CSKA Moscow' will not be thrown out of the Uefa Champions League.

Aleksei Berezutsky and Sergei Ignashevich' were both suspended after' failing dope tests following' the 3 – 3 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford at the beginning of last month.

The Russian side' will remain in the last 16 of the competition' despite Uefa regulations stating that if more than one player from the same side tests positive then the club could be disqualified.

Both Berezutsky and Ignashevich’s A samples revealed the presence of a prohibited substance under the category ‘S6 stimulants’ from the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) prohibited list 2009.

CSKA has defended its players, claiming they were given the cold remedy Sudafed while battling colds on international duty and the club’s medical staff had failed to include the medication on a list given to Uefa staff before the game against United at Old Trafford.

The detected substance in question is on a list of “non-specified” stimulants so Uefa will not be invoking disqualification penalties.